Yachtsman Steakhouse for Small kids?

[fenfur]

So coincidentally, Dh and I will be celebrating our 7th Anniversary while in WDW. Planned the trip around school and free dining and realized our anniversary was in there too, whoohoo! Anyways I was looking for somewhere nice to have dinner, with the kids in tow, DS5, DS3, DS1. They are generally very well behaved, but after a week at WDW with the heat and humidity, I can't guarantee anything. I currently have ADR's at Captains Grill at YC as a nice but ok with kids place, but I really want something a little nicer. Is it appropriate to have a meal with kids there, or am I better off sticking with Captain's Grill? Oh and our anniversary is Sept. 1 Labor Day, so I need to adjust things pretty quick.

Oh, and getting a babysitter isn't a option, 2 of my kids are special needs and we aren't comfortable leaving them with someone, hiring a babysitter isn't very cost effective for 3 kids, and it's a family vacation why leave them with someone else.

 

[WDWMagicGirlie]

Hi there!

DH and I dined at the Yachtsman Steakhouse in December with our two kids-DS3 and DD2. They were both fine. Mine are usually well behaved, too, unless they are tired, etc. Usually as long as we are feeding them, they are ok. Everyone there was really nice, too, (brought us rolls, etc., while we waited for our food). We are leaving in about 2 weeks for Disney again, and we have an ADR for the Yachtsman again. The food is delicious!

I think you will be fine! Have fun!

 

[madalex]

It is an upscale restaurant at which the meal will likely take at least 90 minutes (as compared to around 60 minutes at Captain's Grill). This is a long time to ask children of your children's ages to sit still for a meal. There will be plenty of children at YS, so you will not be out of place in that regard. However, it is a fine dining experience, so you need to be prepared: bring activities to keep them occupied, make sure everyone is well rested that day and, above all else, be prepared to remove your children from the restaurant if they start to act in a manner which is not appropriate for such a restaurant.

 

[daisy112878]

I would say go for an early ADR like around 530pm and you should be fine. We've seen mostly more adults only dining at the signatures later around like 8pm then around 530-6.

 

[shellybaxter]

If your children are "restaurant friendly" you will have no problems. However, if they are whiny (loud enough for others to hear for an extended period of time), crying, screaming, getting up and down and running around, or phyiscally bothering the other dinners then you should be prepared to ask for your food to go and leave the restaurantu

 

[Aimeedyan]

It'll be fine if you go a little earlier (530 or 6) and don't hesitate to get your food to go if they start to melt down. Since it is a fine dining exp, there are MANY couples and business people there - esp later at night. It is a longer meal, so bringing things for them to do would be a good idea.

See if they will seat you near the window that looks out into Stormalong Bay - that way they can watch the people outside. Might keep their interest more than just watching other people eating.

Have a great trip!

 

[fenfur]

Thanks, I think we are just going to stick with the Captains Grill. The menu at YS doesn't look too exciting to me, I like more veggies with my steak rather than just some potatoes, lol. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's delicious, just not right for us at that time. Who knows, maybe I can convince DH when we get home for a dinner at Napa Rose here at DLR, lol.

 

[shoes99]

I like the Captain's Grill. We ate there in March and we all liked the food. The atmosphere is nice and quiet and kid friendly.

 

[vtwep]

I've read the replies and I think some are scaring you away from YS! If you don't like the menu, then of course don't go. But don't be scared of the atmosphere or the "fine dining experience". The place is nice, but it isn't "fancy". Service was great and food was excellent. We had dinner there with our DD4 on a Saturday night around 7:00 last November. After, we grabbed ice cream from Beaches & Cream (even though we had dessert at YS too with our dining plan!) and watched Illuminations from our YC balcony.

To be fair, it was a "restful" afternoon before dinner. We hit EPCOT in the morning, and then it was pool and nap time in the afternoon before dinner.

Anyway - it's Disney. With the exception of Victoria & Albert's, I wouldn't hesitate taking my child(ren) anywhere!